It’s hard to believe, but it was 10 years ago that we were first introduced to the edgy and addictive supernatural drama that is True Blood.
A show that brought the vampire scene to the small screen in such a big way, True Blood was, in many ways, a one of kind TV series. It had so many elements that attracted a great many people and while it started as simply a vampire drama, it became much more than that.
We followed the evolution of Sookie, Bill, Eric and the others as their characters became more than mere mortals or vampires and watched as they became something altogether extraordinary.
Whether you were Team Bill or Team Eric, we all tuned in each week to see the ups and downs that befell the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana.
The supernatural creatures that our favourite characters interacted with on a week to week basis opened our eyes to what lies beyond the simple world of vampires and werewolves to a world where we were introduced to fairies, were-panthers and shape-shifters, just to name a few.
While the finale divided a great number of fans, we all stay tuned until the very end to see how it would all play out and whether our favourite female protagonist would, at last, get her happily ever after and what would become of her vampire companions. The result did leave some a little disappointed, but we at last had closure for a series that had been such an important part of the television landscape for so many years.
True Blood brought something brand new to the vampire genre. Its gratuitous use of violence and all things steamy was exactly what viewers were calling out for. Underneath all the hype and over-the-top exterior, the series hit on some core messages that resonated with many people and thus incited it to become a quick fan favourite.
Based off a series of novels by author Charlaine Harris, the show’s popularity sprouted numerous comics and collectables, such as coasters, shirts and even Tru Blood drinks (a blood orange soft drink) fit for human consumption. True Blood really had a hold over the viewing public.
Now, a decade since its premiere, we reminisce about the show that changed the supernatural scene forever and the actors that made it all possible. Following True Blood, where are some of our favourites now?
Let’s start with the star who brought the role of Miss Sookie Stackhouse to life – that’s right, none other than Anna Paquin. While Paquin had made a name for herself prior to landing the lead female role in True Blood, starring in the first three movies in the X-Men series and Days Of Futures Past as Rogue, she also appeared in The Romantics and Scream 4.
Since wrapping up True Blood, Paquin has been involved in a few lesser-known projects on both the big and small screens but has yet to find a role that garners her the same attention as our favourite mind-reading fairy, although she is slated to appear in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman next year, starring alongside Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Jesse Plemons.
What about the special men in Sookie’s life, I hear you ask? Well, starting with Paquin’s now real-life husband, Stephen Moyer, following his role in True Blood as Sookie’s first love, the vampire Bill Compton, Moyer has appeared in several TV series, but his most popular role is his current one as Reed Strucker in Marvel’s The Gifted.
Moving on to one of our favourite blonde vampires, the sheriff of Area Five, Eric Northman played by Alexander Skarsgård. Skarsgård has had success in several roles since True Blood, including the lead in The Legend Of Tarzan and most recently Big Little Liars.
Finally, it would be remiss of us not discuss the role of a certain construction company werewolf, Alcide Herveaux. Bringing this character to life is Joe Manganiello, who received a lot of attention for his character in the Magic Mike films. Manganiello’s biggest claim to fame has yet to pass, however, as he has landed the role of Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke in DC’s Cinematic Universe, that is set to include The Batman, Justice League Part Two, and the announced Deathstroke film.
The success of True Blood as a franchise and television series still lives strong. If by some chance you’re a bit behind the geek television curve, or maybe you just never got around to it, it’s never too late to watch this one of a kind show, then you too can experience the highs and lows that make this show so binge-worthy.
